Proverbs 17:8
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
In Context
7Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
9He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
Cross References
Genesis 32:14two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
Genesis 33:9And Esau said, I have enough, my brother, let that which thou have be thine.
Exodus 23:8And thou shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight, and perverts the words of the righteous.
1 Samuel 25:35So David received from her hand that which she had brought him. And he said to her, Go up in peace to thy house. See, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
Psalms 18:16He sent from on high, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
Psalms 21:13Be thou exalted, O LORD, in thy strength. We will sing and praise thy power.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:8
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. Two things are here represented as very absurd: 1. That men of no repute should be dictators. What can be more unbecoming than for fools, who are known to have little sense and discretion, to pretend to that which is above them and which they were never cut out for? A fool, in Solomon's proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation gives the lie to his excellent speech. What have those to… Read the whole commentary →